Bed base frame

A bed base frame assembly of a bed generally comprises a base frame, a plurality of steerable and lockable casters, a lateral support assembly at the first and second sides of the base frame assembly, and an in-line support assembly at the foot end of the base frame assembly. The lateral support assembly may further include: a base frame; a first leg and a second leg rotatably connected to the base frame; a first actuator connected to the first leg and the second leg, wherein the first leg and the second leg rotate from the retracted position to the extended position; a third leg and a fourth leg rotatably connected to the base frame; and a second actuator connected to the third leg and the fourth leg, wherein the third leg and the fourth leg rotate from the retracted position to the extended position.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  ·  References Cited  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/590,600, filed Feb. 1, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/124,911, filed Sep. 7, 2018, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,266,554, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/555,935, filed Sep. 8, 2017, which are incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a patient support, and more specifically to a bed base frame that supports additional bed frames that are positionable to assist a patient to a standing position, or to any angular position between 0° (i.e., horizontal, lying position) and approximately 90° (i.e., vertical, standing position), and further to a bed base frame that has lateral supports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hospital beds are well known in the art. While hospital beds according to the prior art provide a number of advantageous features, they nevertheless have certain limitations. The present disclosure seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretofore available. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present disclosure is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. The Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Aspects of this disclosure may relate to a support assembly for a bed that comprises a base frame, a first support connected to the base frame; a first leg connected to the first support; a second support connected to the base frame; a second leg connected to the second support; and an actuator connected to the first leg and the second leg to cause the first and second legs to move from a retracted position to an extended position. The support assembly may further include an extension connected to a first and second end of the actuator and a linkage connecting the extension to each of the legs. Further, in the retracted position, the legs may be substantially parallel to a side member of the base frame and in the extended position, the legs may be transverse to the side member of the base frame. The first support and the second support may each comprise a flange portion and a shaft portion, with the shaft portion angled inwardly toward an opposing side of the base frame such that a longitudinal axis of the shaft portion is transverse to a vertical axis extending through a side member of the base frame. The flange portion, the linkage, and the extension may form a three-bar linkage mechanism whereby linear motion of the extension is converted into rotational motion of the legs. A first end of the actuator may include a receiver and a second end of the actuator opposite the first end may include an actuator shaft, wherein the actuator shaft transitions outwardly and inwardly from the actuator. The support assembly may further include an emergency release to allow the first and second legs to be disassociated with the actuator, so that the first and second legs can be manually moved between the retracted position and the extended position.

Other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a system for a lateral support assembly for a bed that comprises: a base frame including a first side member and a second side member; a first leg rotatably connected to the first side member of the base frame at a foot of the bed; a second leg rotatably connected to the first side member of the base frame at a head of the bed; a first actuator connected to the first leg and the second leg to cause the first and second legs to rotate from a retracted position to an extended position; a third leg rotatably connected to the second side member of the base frame at the foot of the bed; a fourth leg rotatably connected to the second side member of the base frame at the head of the bed; and a second actuator connected to the third leg and the fourth leg to cause the third and fourth legs to rotate from the retracted position to the extended position. Additionally, in the retracted position, the legs may be substantially parallel to the side members of the base frame and in the extended position, the legs may be transverse to the side members of the base frame. The lateral support assembly may further include: a first support connected to the first side member and rotatably connected with the first leg; a second support connected to the first side member rotatably connected with the second leg; a third support connected to the second side member rotatably connected with the third leg; and a fourth support connected to the second side member rotatably connected with the fourth leg. Additionally, the lateral support assembly may further include an emergency release to allow the legs to be disassociated with the actuators, so that the legs can be manually moved between the retracted position and the extended position. The lateral support assembly may further include a plurality of sensors that sense the position of the legs in both the extended position and the retracted position.

Yet other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a patient support system that comprises: a bed base frame assembly with a patient support surface; a plurality of steerable and lockable casters at a foot end and a head end of the bed base frame assembly; and a bed software to control and operate the bed base frame assembly operations. The bed base frame assembly further includes a lateral support assembly. The lateral support assembly may comprise: a base frame including a first side member and a second side member; a first leg and a second leg rotatably connected to the first side member of the base frame; a first actuator connected to the first leg and the second leg, wherein the software operates the first actuator to rotate the first leg and the second leg from the retracted position to the extended position and from the extended position to the retracted position; a third leg and a fourth leg rotatably connected to the second side member of the base frame; and a second actuator connected to the third leg and the fourth leg, wherein the software operates the second actuator to rotate the third leg and the fourth leg from the retracted position to the extended position and from the extended position to the retracted position. Additionally, when the patient support system is put into bariatric mode and a set of width extenders are utilized, the bed software may operate the first and second actuators to rotate the legs to the extended position. When the patient support system is put into tilt mode and the patient support surface is angularly rotated to a substantially vertical position, the bed software may operate the first and second actuators to rotate the legs to the extended position prior to the patient support system being put into tilt mode. When the patient support system includes rotational therapy capabilities, the bed software may operate the first and second actuators to rotate the legs to the extended position. The bed software may ensure that the lateral support assembly is in the extended position before allowing the patient support system to go into a tile mode and a stand mode. The lateral support assembly may further include sensors that sense the position of the legs in both the extended position and the retracted position. Additionally, in the retracted position, the legs may be substantially parallel to the side members of the base frame and in the extended position, the legs may be transverse to the side members of the base frame. The patient support system may further include an emergency release to allow the legs to be disassociated with the actuators, so that the legs can be manually moved between the retracted position and the extended position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

To understand the present disclosure, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which embodiments of the disclosures are illustrated and, together with the descriptions below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a shaded top perspective view of aspects of a bed base assembly frame according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the bed base frame assembly of FIG. 1 in wireframe.

FIG. 3 is a closer top perspective view of the bed base frame assembly of FIG. 2 with one of the brake/steer pedals removed.

FIG. 4 is a closer top perspective view of one of the extended lateral legs of the bed base frame assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a closer bottom perspective view of one of the extended lateral legs of the bed base frame assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the bed base frame assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the bed base frame assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the bed base frame assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a rear end elevation view of the bed base frame assembly of FIG. 2 taken from the foot end of the bed.

FIG. 10 is a first side elevation view of the bed base frame assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a second side elevation view of the bed base frame assembly of FIG. 2.

Further, it is to be understood that the drawings may represent the scale of different components of one single embodiment; however, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to that particular scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the bed base frame assembly discussed herein is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, exemplary implementations with the understanding that the present description is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the bed base frame and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the disclosure to the implementations illustrated.

Referring now to the Figures, there is shown embodiments of a bed base frame assembly 10 that can be used for a variety of beds. The term “bed” herein is used to denote any embodiment of a support for a patient. As such, in different embodiments the “bed” is provided as a traditional bed, a gurney or stretcher, an operating room table or surgical table, a bed that expands and contracts in width, a bed that converts to a chair to allow the patient to exit the bed, a bed that tilts to allow the patient to exit and enter the bed standing, and a variety of combinations thereof. Additionally, each of these variations may have a variety of optional equipment and support surfaces associated therewith.

The bed traditionally has a patient support surface to support the patient. In the standing or tilt embodiment, the bed can be manipulated to angularly rotate the patient support surface to a substantially vertical position, wherein the entire patient support surface is generally in-line and preferably at an angle of about at least 75° from the horizontal, to allow a patient to exit and enter the bed standing. Alternately, the tilt or stand bed may be stopped at any angle between 0° and at least 75° to provide for different therapeutic benefit to the patient. In the expanding width bed configuration the bed is manipulated to convert to a wider patient support surface at various sections of the bed. The width of the expanding width bed may be narrowed, however, to that of a conventional hospital bed to provide for ease of mobility of the bed. Additionally, in one embodiment the bed is a bariatric bed, meaning it is provided to support morbidly obese patients. In the chair bed embodiment the bed is manipulated to achieve both a conventional bed position having a generally horizontal patient support or sleeping surface upon which a user lies in a supine position, and a sitting position wherein the foot deck of the bed is provided in a generally vertical position such that the user's feet can be positioned on or adjacent the floor and the back of the user is supported by a raised back support.

Each bed generally requires a base frame assembly 10, as shown in FIG. 1, which supports additional bed frame assemblies, such as an intermediate frame assembly, a weigh frame assembly, and a patient support assembly (none of the additional frame assemblies are shown in the figures). In various embodiments, the base frame assembly 10 typically has a plurality of actuators (not shown) that raise and lower the intermediate frame assembly. The weigh frame assembly is preferably connected to the intermediate frame assembly, and the patient support assembly is preferably connected to the weigh frame assembly. Generally, the weigh frame assembly may be coupled to the intermediate frame assembly by a plurality of load cells or load beams.

In an embodiment where the bed can tilt to provide standing access and egress, a tilting frame assembly (not shown) is also provided. The tilting frame assembly may be supported by the weigh frame assembly. The tilting frame assembly may preferably be connected with a lift actuator to the intermediate frame assembly to provide for lifting of the tilting frame assembly. Further, in a bed that employs a tilting frame assembly, the tilting frame assembly is preferably connected to the weigh frame assembly, but the tilting frame assembly can be partially removed when in tilt/stand mode. In a bed that does not employ a tilting frame assembly, the patient support assembly is coupled to the weigh frame assembly by a plurality of actuators that raise and lower the different sections of the bed (i.e., a head section, an intermediate or seat section, and a foot section), typically at various angular orientations.

The bed and associated bed base frame assembly 10 has a head end 12, a foot end 14 opposing the head end 12, a first side 16, and a second side 18 opposing the first side 16. The term “head end” is used to denote the end of any referred to object that is positioned nearest the head end 12 of the bed base frame assembly 10, and the term “foot end” is used to denote the end of any referred to object that is positioned nearest the foot end 14 of the bed base frame assembly 10.

In one embodiment, the base frame assembly 10 of the bed generally comprises a base frame 20, a plurality of steerable and lockable casters 22, 24, a lateral support assembly 26 at each of the first and second sides of the base frame assembly 10, and an in-line support assembly 28 at the foot end 14 of the base frame assembly 10. The casters include a pair of casters 22 at the head end 12 of the base frame assembly 10, and a pair of casters 24 at the foot end 14 of the base frame assembly 10. In the tilt or stand-up bed configuration of the bed frame assembly 10, heavy duty casters are preferred.

A preferred embodiment of the base frame assembly 10 also preferably comprises a central brake and steer system. In one embodiment, one aspect of the brake and steer system is that it includes a brake pedal 30 and a steer pedal 32 at the head end 12 of the base frame assembly 10. The brake and steer pedals 30, 32 located near the head end 12 of the base frame assembly 10 are arranged in such a way that the operator who is moving the bed can easily activate the pedals without moving to the sides of the bed. When not transporting the bed, there are two central brake/steer systems located at the middle of each bed side allowing the operator to easily position the casters 22, 24 to the steer or brake positions from the side of the bed. Accordingly, in summary, in a preferred embodiment, one brake pedal 30 and one steering pedal 32 are provided at the head end 12 of the base frame assembly 10, and one brake pedal 30 and one steering pedal 32 are provided on each side of the base frame assembly 10. In one embodiment, all six of the brake and steer pedals 30, 32 are mechanically linked together with a series of mechanical linkages that may extend within the tubing of the base frame 20. As a result, the operator only needs to activate one of the brake/steer pedals 30, 32 to set the entire brake and steer system in either brake mode or steer mode because all of the brake/steer pedals and all of the casters are mechanically linked. Alternately, rather than employing a manual or mechanically linked system to lock/unlock each of the casters 22, 24, the bed may employ an automatic mode to lock/unlock each of the casters 22, 24. In the automatic mode rather than relying on mechanical linkages to lock/unlock each of the casters 22, 24, the bed has an automatic system (not shown) that powers separate actuators for each caster 22, 24 to separately lock/unlock each of the casters 22, 24 as desired. Further, for the automatic mode, a plurality of sensors or switches may be provided at each of the brake and steer pedals 30, 32. The sensors/switches are preferably electrically connected to each of the actuators at each of the casters 22, 24 to separately lock/unlock each of the casters 22, 24. Additionally, when the bed includes an automatic mode to lock/unlock each of the casters 22, 24, the bed may also include an override switch (not shown) at the head end 12 of the base frame assembly 10 to transition the brake and steer system between the automatic mode (using sensors/switches at the pedals 30, 32 to operate actuators at the casters 22, 24 to lock/unlock each caster) and the manual mode (using mechanical linkages to mechanically connect each of the pedals 30, 32 with the casters 22, 24 to lock/unlock each caster).

There are three modes to the brake and steer system: (1) brake mode; (2) neutral mode; and, (3) steer mode. The brake mode is set by fully engaging/pressing any of the three brake pedals 30. When in the brake mode all four casters 22, 24 will be simultaneously locked to prevent the bed from moving. The neutral mode is set by positioning any of the brake/steer pedals 30, 32 to the middle position, which is the neutral position. In the neutral position all four of the casters 22, 24 are placed in the fully rotatable and unlocked orientation. The steer mode is set by fully engaging/pressing any of the three steer pedals 32. In the steer position, one or more of the casters at the foot end 14 of the bed will lock in the forward position, through a mechanical linkage connected from the steer pedals 32 to the caster(s) at the foot end 14 of the base frame assembly 10 to assist in overall steering capabilities of the bed during transport.

The brake and steer system is supported by a brake or caster lock function in the bed's software that ensures that the brake system is in the lock mode before allowing the bed to go into tilt or stand mode. For example, if the user attempts to place the bed into tilt/stand mode and the caster/brake lock is not engaged, the software will provide an alarm and will preclude the user from actuating tilt/stand mode. Once the bed is placed into brake lock mode (i.e., all casters are locked either mechanically or with actuators) the software will disarm the alarm and allow the user to place the bed in tilt/stand mode. Further, once in tilt/stand mode, the software will not allow the brake lock mode to be disengaged until the bed is back in the full horizontal position. The brake and steer system uses either a solenoid or actuator that is operated by the software to maintain the brake lock in brake mode during tilt/stand operations. In the automatic mode, the brake and steer system will maintain the actuators in the lock mode during tilt/stand operations to keep each caster locked. The caster lock function locks the casters to prevent any unexpected movement of the bed during tilt/stand mode.

In a preferred embodiment, as explained herein, the lateral support assemblies 26 are operated by the bed's software, similar to the brake and steer system in certain modes.

Referring to the figures, each side 16, 18 of the bed has a separate lateral support assembly 26. As shown in FIGS. 3-6, each of the lateral support assemblies 26 may generally include first and second legs 34, a support 36 for each leg 34, an actuator 38, extensions 40 connected to each end of the actuator 38, and linkages 42 connecting the extensions 40 to the legs 34. The lateral support assembly 26 preferably also includes lateral supports 44 for the actuator 38. As explained herein, in one embodiment the actuators 38 are supported by the lateral supports 44 via the extensions 40. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the actuators 38 are not fixed laterally, but instead can traverse laterally based on the actuation stroke and stops between the extensions 40 and the lateral supports 44.

The lateral support assembly 26 preferably has two positions, an extended or use position, shown by the position of the legs 34 at the first side 16 of the base frame assembly 10 in FIGS. 1-3 and 6-11, and the retracted position, shown by the position of the legs 34 at the second side 18 of the base frame assembly 10 in FIGS. 1-3 and 6-11. In the use position the legs 34 are preferably transverse to the side frame members 46 of the based frame 20, and in the retracted position the legs 34 are preferably generally in-line or substantially parallel to the side frame members 46 of the base frame 20. As explained herein, the legs 34 preferably rotate from the retracted position to the use position due to the rotational connection between the legs 34 and their respective supports 36, and the action of the actuator 38. The legs 34 may rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise from the retracted position to the use position and from the use position to the retracted position in accordance with aspects of this invention.

In one embodiment the support 36 for each leg 34 comprises a flange portion 48 and a shaft portion 50. As shown in FIG. 9, the shaft portion 50 is angled inwardly toward the opposing side of the base frame 20, such that the longitudinal axis 52 of the shaft portion 50 of the support 36 is transverse to the vertical axis 54 extending through the side frame members 46 of the base frame 20.

Each leg 34 preferably has an extension portion 56, which may be a curved tubular extension portion 56 as shown in the figures, a receiving portion 58 that rotatingly engages the shaft portion 50 of the support 36, and a flange portion 60 to connect the legs 34 to a first end 62 of the linkages 42. In a preferred embodiment, the flange portions 60 of the legs 34 are pivotally connected to the linkages 42.

The second end 64 of the linkages 42 are pivotally connected to the one of the extensions 40 from the actuator 38. Accordingly, the flange portion 60, linkage 42 and extension 40 forms a three-bar linkage mechanism whereby linear motion of the extension 40 is converted into rotational motion of the leg 34.

As shown in FIGS. 9-11, in one embodiment the end 66 of the legs 34 of the lateral support assembly 26 is higher off the floor (i.e., the distance from the floor to the bottom of the end of the leg is greater) when the legs 34 are in the retracted position (i.e., the legs 34 at the second side 18 of the base frame assembly 10), than when the legs 34 are in the extended or use position (i.e., the legs 34 at the first side 16 of the base frame assembly 10). This is because, as explained above, in one embodiment, the supports 36 to which the legs 34 are rotationally connected have a shaft portion 50 that is transverse to the vertical axis 54 extending through the side frame members 46 of the base frame 20. Accordingly, as the leg 34 rotates from the retracted position, generally parallel to the side frame members 46 of the base frame 20, to the use position, generally transverse or perpendicular to the side frame members 46 of the base frame 20, the end 66 of the legs 34 moves closer to the ground.

Referring to FIGS. 2-7, the lateral support assembly 26 also utilizes two lateral supports 44 to support each actuator 38. Preferably, one lateral support 44 is connected to the bottom of the side frame member 46 of the base frame 20 on one side of the actuator 38, and another lateral support 44 is connected to the bottom of the side frame member 46 of the base frame 20 on the other side of the actuator 38. In a preferred embodiment the actuator 38 is a linear actuator. Accordingly, in one embodiment one end of the linear actuator 38 has a receiver 68 and the other end has an actuator shaft 70 that transitions outwardly and inwardly from the linear actuator 38. The actuator shaft 70 may be a lead screw in an alternate embodiment. Preferably, the actuator shaft 70 has a set distance that it moves inwardly and outwardly, referred to as the stroke. The stroke is set such that at one end of the stroke the two legs 34 are fully retracted in the retracted position, and at the other end of the stroke the two legs are fully extended in the use position. Additionally, the actuator shaft 70 may alternately have a spring 71 associated therewith toward a distal end thereof, as shown in FIG. 6. The spring 71 may assist the leg 34 at the foot end 14 swing out prior to the leg 34 at the head end 12, and similarly, the spring 71 may assist in having the leg 34 at the foot end 14 retract after the leg 34 at the head end 12.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an extension shaft 72 may be fixedly connected at one end to the receiver 68 of the actuator 38, and at the other end to the second end 64 of the linkage 42. The extension shaft 72 that connects the actuator 38 to one of the linkages 42 is referred to as one of the extensions 40. The extension shaft 72 is supported by bushings in one of the lateral supports 44, but the extension shaft 72 is preferably able to slide laterally within the lateral support 44, but only if and when the actuator 38 moves as the extension shaft 72 is fixed in place to the actuator 38. The movement of this extension 40 laterally operates to rotate the leg 34 closest to the foot end 14 of the base frame 20.

The other extension 40 of the actuator 38 is the actuator shaft 70 or lead screw 70 that extends in and out of the actuator 38. The end of the actuator shaft 70 is connected to the second end 64 of the other linkage 42. The actuator shaft 70 is supported by the other lateral support 44, but the actuator shaft 70 is similarly able to move laterally within the lateral support 44. The movement of this extension 40 laterally operates to rotate the leg 34 closest to the head end 12 of the base frame 20. Unlike the extension shaft 72 which has no movement relative to the actuator 38 and which only moves with the actuator 38, all movement of the actuator shaft 70 is movement relative to the actuator 38 (i.e., in or out of the actuator 38).

The lateral support assembly 26 provides additional lateral support for the bed. Such additional lateral support may be needed under numerous circumstances. For example, if the bed is put into bariatric mode, meaning width extenders are utilized then additional lateral support may be needed. Similarly, if the bed is put into tilt mode and the patient support surface is tilted upwardly to the vertical, additional lateral support may be needed as the center of gravity of the patient is raised. Further, if the bed has rotational therapy capabilities, the additional lateral support may be beneficial, especially with bariatric beds.

As explained above, there are two modes to the lateral support assembly 26: (1) retracted mode, and (2) use mode. In the retracted mode, the software of the bed will operate the two actuators 38 to transition both legs 34 on each side of the base frame 20 to the retracted position. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the two legs 34 on the second side 18 of the base frame 20 are in the retracted position. In the use mode, the software of the bed will operate the two actuators 38 to transition both legs 34 on each side of the base frame 20 to the use or extended position. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the two legs 34 on the first side 16 of the base frame 20 are in the use or extended position. It is understood that the figures illustrate one set of legs in the use position and one set of legs in the extended position for illustrative and teaching purposes only. In actual use all legs will be either in the use or retracted positions generally together.

The lateral support assembly 26 is generally controlled by a function in the bed's software that ensures that the lateral support system is in the use or extended mode before allowing the bed to go into some other configuration, such as tilt or stand mode. For example, if the user attempts to place the bed into tilt/stand mode and the lateral support system is not in the use mode, the software will preclude the tilt/stand mode from being utilized. Alternately, if the user attempts to place the bed into tilt/stand mode and the lateral support system is not in the use mode, the software will first place the lateral support system in the use mode before allowing the user to begin the tilt/stand process. Once the bed is placed into tilt/mode the software will maintain the legs in the use position until the tilt/stand mode is completed.

In use, when the system wants to transition the lateral support assembly 26 from the retracted mode to the use mode, the bed software sends a signal to each of the two actuators 38. In one embodiment, the two actuators 38 will begin to retract their actuator shaft 70 which causes the extension 40 and linkage 42 to move linearly toward the actuator 38 and which further causes the leg 34 closest to the head end 12 of the base frame 20 to rotate from the retracted position to the use position. When the leg 34 closest to the head end 12 of the base frame 20 is fully in the use position, a portion of the extension 40 will contact an edge of the lateral support 44. However, the actuator 38 continues to retract the actuator shaft 70, thereby causing the actuator 38 to move toward the head end 12 of the base frame 20. When the actuator 38 moves toward the head end 12 of the base frame 20 the extension shaft 72 that is fixed to the actuator 38 also moves toward the head end 12 of the base frame 20, causing the linkage 42 connected to the foot end 14 leg 34 to rotate from the retracted position to the use position. When the leg 34 closest to the foot end 14 of the base frame 20 is fully in the use position the actuator 38 will stop further movement. As one can understand based on the figures, the leg 34 at the head end 12 of the bed will rotate outward and toward the head end 12 of the base frame 20, and the leg 34 at the foot end 14 of the bed will rotate outward and toward the foot end 14 of the base frame 20. Further, as the legs 34 rotate from the retracted to the use position the ends 66 of the legs 34 will move toward the ground. This allows the end 66 of the legs 34 to be raised in the retracted position and not be a pinch point, but also allows the end 66 of the legs 34 to be closer to the ground in the use position to prevent tipping of the bed.

To retract the legs 34 from the use position to the retracted position, the bed software sends a signal to each of the two actuators 38. In one embodiment, the two actuators 38 will begin to extend their actuator shaft 70 which initially causes the actuator 38 to move linearly toward the foot end 14 of the base frame 2, and which further causes the extension shaft 72 that is fixed to the actuator 38 to also move toward the foot end 14 of the base frame 20, causing the linkage 42 connected to the foot end 14 leg 34 to rotate from the use position to the retracted position. When the leg 34 closest to the foot end 14 of the base frame 20 is fully in the retracted position, a portion of the actuator 38 will contact an inner edge of the lateral support 44 preventing the actuator 38 from moving. When the actuator 38 cannot move and the actuator shaft 70 is still being extended, the actuator shaft 70 will cause the linkage 42 connected head end 12 leg 34 to rotate from the use position to the retracted position. When the leg 34 closest to the head end 12 of the base frame 20 is fully in the retracted position the actuator 38 will stop further movement. As one can understand based on the figures, the leg 34 at the head end 12 of the bed will rotate inwardly and toward the foot end 14 of the base frame 20, and the leg 34 at the foot end 14 of the bed will rotate inwardly and toward the head end 12 of the base frame 20 during retraction. Further, as the legs 34 rotate from the use position to the retracted position the ends 66 of the legs 34 will move away from the ground. This allows the end 66 of the legs 34 to be raised in the retracted position and not be a pinch point.

In another embodiment, the lateral support assembly 26 may include a plurality of sensors or switches that may be provided at each of the legs 34 and/or supports 36. The sensors/switches are preferably electrically connected to each of the actuators 38 at each of the legs 34 and/or supports 36 to separately lock/unlock each of the legs 34 and/or supports 36. The sensors/switches may be utilized to lock/unlock the legs 34 from moving to the retracted position or extended position based on the configuration of the bed. For example, if the user attempts to place the bed into tilt/stand mode, the sensors/switches will confirm that the lateral support assembly 26 and the legs 34 are in the extended position, and the bed software may preclude the tilt/stand mode from being utilized until the lateral support assembly 26 and the legs 34 are in the extended position. Alternately, if the user attempts to move the bed, the sensors/switches will confirm that the lateral support assembly 26 and the legs 34 are in the retracted position, and the bed software may preclude movement of the bed until the lateral support assembly 26 and the legs 34 are in the retracted position.

While the embodiments in the figures show four separate legs 34 as part of the lateral support assembly 26, additional legs 34 may be utilized without departing from this invention. For example, the lateral support assembly 26 may include six legs 34 or eight legs 34 without departing from this invention.

The lateral support assembly 26 may also have an emergency release to allow the legs 34 to be disassociated from the actuator 38. Specifically, as best shown in FIG. 6, an emergency pin 84 may be provided that joins the legs 34 to the extensions 40. By removing the pin 84 the legs 34 can be manually moved between the retracted and use positions, and they can be repositioned in any position desired by the user.

The in-line support assembly 28 at the foot end 14 of the base frame assembly 10 is provided to provide support from forward tipping of the bed, and also to provide a support surface outside of the casters 24 at the foot end 14 of the base frame assembly 10 during periods of movement of the bed. In one embodiment, the in-line support assembly 28 comprises a bracket 80 connected to each side frame member 46 of the base frame 20 at the foot end 14 of the base frame 20, with a wheel 82 connected to the end of the bracket 80 distal the base frame 20. The in-line support assembly 28 and the bracket 80 may be fixedly attached to each side frame member 46 of the base frame 20. In another embodiment, the in-line support assembly 28 and the bracket 80 may be rotatedly-attached to the side frame members 46 of the base frame 20, wherein the bracket 80 rotates from a retracted position to an extended position. In another embodiment, the in-line support assembly 28 and the bracket 80 may extend from the side frame members 46 of the base frame 20 from a retracted position to an extended position.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth” as used herein are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Further, the term “plurality” as used herein indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

Claims

1. A hospital bed comprising:

a base frame;
the base frame includes a first side member;
a first leg connected to the first side member;
the base frame includes a second side member;
a second leg connected to the second side member;
an actuator connected to the first leg to cause the first leg to move from a retracted position to an extended position; and
wherein in the retracted position, the first leg is substantially parallel to the first side member of the base frame and in the extended position, the first leg is substantially transverse to the first side member of the base frame.

2. A hospital bed as in claim 1 wherein the second leg has a retracted position and an extended position, in the retracted position, the second leg is substantially parallel to the second side member of the base frame and in the extended position, the second leg is substantially transverse to the second side member of the base frame.

3. A hospital bed as in claim 2 further including a second actuator connected to the second leg to cause the second leg to move from the retracted position to the extended position.

4. A hospital bed as in claim 3 further including a third leg connected to the first side member.

5. A hospital bed as in claim 4 wherein the first actuator is connected to the third leg to cause the third leg to move from a retracted position to an extended position.

6. A hospital bed as in claim 5 further including a fourth leg connected to the second side member.

7. A hospital bed as in claim 6 wherein the second actuator is connected to the fourth leg to cause the fourth leg to move from a retracted position to an extended position.

8. A hospital bed as in claim 1 wherein the first leg is rotatably connected to the first side member and the second leg is rotatably connected to the second side member.

9. A hospital bed as in claim 1 wherein the first leg includes a shaft portion, the shaft portion angled inwardly toward the first side member such that a longitudinal axis of the shaft portion crosses a vertical axis extending through the first side member.

10. A hospital bed as in claim 1 further including one or more casters connected to the base frame.

11. A hospital bed as in claim 1 further including a patient deck.

12. A hospital bed as in claim 11 further including an intermediate frame connected to the patient deck and the base frame.

13. A hospital bed as in claim 11 wherein the first leg must be in the extended position in order for the patient deck to be tilted relative to the horizontal.

14. A hospital bed as in claim 13 further including a locking system that stabilizes the bed prior to the patient deck being tilted into a tilted position.

15. A hospital bed as in claim 14 wherein the locking system stabilizes the bed by locking one or more casters.

16. A hospital bed as in claim 14 wherein the locking system is in a lock mode before allowing the patient deck to go into a tilted position.

17. A hospital bed as in claim 14 wherein the locking system includes a brake lock function, when the patient deck is in the tilted position, the locking system prevents the brake lock function from becoming disengaged until the patient deck is rotated back to a generally horizontal position.

18. A hospital bed comprising:

a base frame;
the base frame includes a first side member;
a first leg connected to the first side member;
the base frame includes a second side member;
a second leg connected to the second side member;
an actuator connected to the first leg to cause the first leg to move from a retracted position to an extended position; and
an emergency release to allow the first leg to be disassociated with the actuator, so that the first leg can be manually moved between the retracted position and the extended position.

19. A hospital bed as in claim 18 including a second actuator connected to the second leg to cause the second leg to move from the retracted position to the extended position, the emergency release to allow the second leg to be disassociated with the second actuator, so that the second leg can be manually moved between the retracted position and the extended position.

20. A hospital bed as in claim 18 further including a third leg connected to the first side member and a fourth leg connected to the second side member.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
53041 March 1866 Puffer
358466 March 1887 Lueders
375448 December 1887 Hayward
628700 July 1899 Dann
1133798 March 1915 Hall
1253179 January 1918 Irrgang
1398203 November 1921 Schmidt
1525864 February 1925 Hueseman
1636325 July 1927 Roe
1772310 August 1930 Hart
1999106 April 1935 Muller
2034985 March 1936 Lilley
2171251 August 1939 Capron
2262288 November 1941 Raleigh
2308592 January 1943 Drexler et al.
2472675 June 1949 Mueller
2514655 July 1950 Luketa
2562339 July 1951 Socol
2656876 October 1953 Larrick
2658211 November 1953 Bendersky
2675285 April 1954 Terry
2766463 October 1956 Bendersky
2783055 February 1957 Michaud
2817855 December 1957 Pratt
2830304 April 1958 Ericsson
2838353 June 1958 Emmert
2956290 October 1960 Scheinerman
3045259 July 1962 Mayer
3064278 November 1962 Broyles
3081463 March 1963 Williams et al.
3090971 May 1963 MacDonald
3093839 June 1963 Higgins
3094713 June 1963 Wise
3112500 December 1963 MacDonald
3149349 September 1964 Nelson
3174161 March 1965 Black
3210779 October 1965 Herbold
3220022 November 1965 Nelson
3234570 February 1966 Hutt
3237212 March 1966 Hillenbrand et al.
3239853 March 1966 MacDonald
3262133 July 1966 Beitzel
3281141 October 1966 Smiley et al.
3327328 June 1967 Slivoski
3394415 July 1968 Parker
3422929 January 1969 Oja
3477071 November 1969 Emerson
3485240 December 1969 Fountain
3486176 December 1969 Murcott
3495869 February 1970 Ingemansson
3506989 April 1970 Ross et al.
3585660 June 1971 Gottfried et al.
3593350 July 1971 Knight et al.
3605145 September 1971 Graebe
3640520 February 1972 Wieland
3646621 March 1972 Fragas
3695701 October 1972 Knabusch et al.
3701173 October 1972 Whitney
3717885 February 1973 De Mare
3737928 June 1973 Reuther
3781060 December 1973 Pentzien
3872525 March 1975 Lea et al.
3877088 April 1975 Bouman
3930273 January 6, 1976 Stern
3932903 January 20, 1976 Adams et al.
3971083 July 27, 1976 Peterson
3974530 August 17, 1976 Lusch et al.
3997926 December 21, 1976 England
4017118 April 12, 1977 Cawley
4042988 August 23, 1977 Holliday
4084274 April 18, 1978 Willis et al.
4103376 August 1, 1978 Benoit et al.
4127906 December 5, 1978 Zur
4139917 February 20, 1979 Fenwick
4152795 May 8, 1979 Rodosta et al.
4175550 November 27, 1979 Leininger et al.
4183109 January 15, 1980 Howell
4188677 February 19, 1980 Zur
4224706 September 30, 1980 Young et al.
4225988 October 7, 1980 Cary et al.
4227269 October 14, 1980 Johnston
4258445 March 31, 1981 Zur
4270233 June 2, 1981 Mulligan
4271547 June 9, 1981 Grossutti
4277858 July 14, 1981 Bohme
4346487 August 31, 1982 Holdt
4370765 February 1, 1983 Webber
4375706 March 8, 1983 Finnhult
4376317 March 15, 1983 Johnston
4391009 July 5, 1983 Schild et al.
4409695 October 18, 1983 Johnston et al.
4432359 February 21, 1984 James
4449261 May 22, 1984 Magnusson
4485505 December 4, 1984 Paul
4494259 January 22, 1985 Miller et al.
4507814 April 2, 1985 Zyki, Jr.
4509217 April 9, 1985 Therrien
4545084 October 8, 1985 Peterson
4612679 September 23, 1986 Mitchell
4613182 September 23, 1986 Stone
4613997 September 30, 1986 Langdale
4632450 December 30, 1986 Holdt
4639954 February 3, 1987 Speed
4653129 March 31, 1987 Kuck et al.
4654903 April 7, 1987 Chubb et al.
4658450 April 21, 1987 Thompson
4669136 June 2, 1987 Waters et al.
4672698 June 16, 1987 Sands
4679569 July 14, 1987 Lee
4686725 August 18, 1987 Mitchell
4700417 October 20, 1987 McGovern
4706313 November 17, 1987 Murphy
4709790 December 1, 1987 Freitag et al.
4724554 February 16, 1988 Kowalski et al.
4724555 February 16, 1988 Poehner et al.
4787104 November 29, 1988 Grantham
4821351 April 18, 1989 Bergenwall
4829616 May 16, 1989 Walker
4847929 July 18, 1989 Pupovic
4852195 August 1, 1989 Shulman
4862529 September 5, 1989 Peck
4862530 September 5, 1989 Chen
4862538 September 5, 1989 Spann et al.
4864671 September 12, 1989 Evans
4897890 February 6, 1990 Walker
4899404 February 13, 1990 Galumbeck
4901387 February 20, 1990 Luke
4918829 April 24, 1990 Harris
4941221 July 17, 1990 Kanzler
4944054 July 31, 1990 Bossert
4947496 August 14, 1990 Connolly
4947500 August 14, 1990 Seiler
4949414 August 21, 1990 Thomas et al.
4953243 September 4, 1990 Birkmann
4953247 September 4, 1990 Hasty
4962552 October 16, 1990 Hasty
4977629 December 18, 1990 Jones
4985946 January 22, 1991 Foster et al.
4986738 January 22, 1991 Kawasaki et al.
4993089 February 19, 1991 Solomon et al.
4997200 March 5, 1991 Earls
5023967 June 18, 1991 Ferrand
5025519 June 25, 1991 Spann et al.
5031261 July 16, 1991 Fenner, Sr.
5039158 August 13, 1991 Maier
5040253 August 20, 1991 Cheng
5050899 September 24, 1991 Stensby
5070560 December 10, 1991 Wilkinson
5072463 December 17, 1991 Willis
5077843 January 7, 1992 Foster et al.
5083332 January 28, 1992 Foster et al.
5083334 January 28, 1992 Huck et al.
5084925 February 4, 1992 Cook
5092007 March 3, 1992 Hasty
5095561 March 17, 1992 Green et al.
5103519 April 14, 1992 Hasty
5107558 April 28, 1992 Lück
5109560 May 5, 1992 Uetake
5117521 June 2, 1992 Foster et al.
5121513 June 16, 1992 Thomas et al.
5129115 July 14, 1992 Higgins et al.
5129116 July 14, 1992 Borders et al.
5129117 July 14, 1992 Celestina et al.
5157787 October 27, 1992 Donnellan et al.
5157800 October 27, 1992 Borders
5163196 November 17, 1992 Graebe et al.
5169208 December 8, 1992 Re et al.
5179742 January 19, 1993 Oberle
5179744 January 19, 1993 Foster et al.
5182826 February 2, 1993 Thomas et al.
5187824 February 23, 1993 Stryker
5214809 June 1, 1993 Stuart
5224228 July 6, 1993 Larrimore
5230113 July 27, 1993 Foster et al.
5233974 August 10, 1993 Senoue et al.
5243721 September 14, 1993 Teasdale
5249319 October 5, 1993 Higgs
5252278 October 12, 1993 Spann et al.
5259079 November 9, 1993 Visser et al.
5267365 December 7, 1993 Walter
5279010 January 18, 1994 Ferrand et al.
5325551 July 5, 1994 Tappel et al.
5329657 July 19, 1994 Bartley et al.
5331698 July 26, 1994 Newkirk et al.
5335651 August 9, 1994 Foster et al.
5337845 August 16, 1994 Foster et al.
5342114 August 30, 1994 Burke et al.
5347682 September 20, 1994 Edgerton, Jr.
5348367 September 20, 1994 Mizelle
5366036 November 22, 1994 Perry
5370111 December 6, 1994 Reeder et al.
5375910 December 27, 1994 Murphy
5377370 January 3, 1995 Foster et al.
D355322 February 14, 1995 Ackley et al.
5394581 March 7, 1995 Leoutsakos
5398354 March 21, 1995 Balonick et al.
5398357 March 21, 1995 Foster
5402544 April 4, 1995 Crawford et al.
5412821 May 9, 1995 Wilkinson
5425148 June 20, 1995 Ashcraft et al.
5438723 August 8, 1995 Carroll
5444883 August 29, 1995 Lura
5454126 October 3, 1995 Foster et al.
5454142 October 3, 1995 Neely et al.
5457831 October 17, 1995 Foster et al.
5461741 October 31, 1995 Graebe
5479665 January 2, 1996 Cassidy et al.
5479666 January 2, 1996 Foster et al.
5481770 January 9, 1996 Ahlsten
5481772 January 9, 1996 Glynn et al.
5483709 January 16, 1996 Foster et al.
5485699 January 23, 1996 Gabhart
5487196 January 30, 1996 Wilkinson et al.
5497766 March 12, 1996 Foster et al.
5502853 April 2, 1996 Singleton et al.
5507562 April 16, 1996 Wieland
5513406 May 7, 1996 Foster et al.
5542136 August 6, 1996 Tappel
5551107 September 3, 1996 Graebe
5562091 October 8, 1996 Foster et al.
5568660 October 29, 1996 Raburn et al.
5577279 November 26, 1996 Foster et al.
5580504 December 3, 1996 Spann et al.
5586346 December 24, 1996 Stacy et al.
5596781 January 28, 1997 Graebe
5603133 February 18, 1997 Vrzalik
5604942 February 25, 1997 Allevato et al.
5606754 March 4, 1997 Hand et al.
5611096 March 18, 1997 Bartlett et al.
5613252 March 25, 1997 Yu et al.
5613255 March 25, 1997 Bish et al.
5620066 April 15, 1997 Schuttler
5628078 May 13, 1997 Pennington et al.
5630238 May 20, 1997 Weismiller et al.
5634224 June 3, 1997 Gates
5638563 June 17, 1997 Iura
5642546 July 1, 1997 Shoenhair
5649331 July 22, 1997 Wilkinson et al.
5652985 August 5, 1997 Wilkinson et al.
5659910 August 26, 1997 Weiss
5666681 September 16, 1997 Meyer et al.
5672849 September 30, 1997 Foster et al.
5680661 October 28, 1997 Foster et al.
5682631 November 4, 1997 Weismiller
5689845 November 25, 1997 Sobieralski
5692256 December 2, 1997 Kramer et al.
5699566 December 23, 1997 Chuang
5708997 January 20, 1998 Foster et al.
5715548 February 10, 1998 Weismiller et al.
5724685 March 10, 1998 Weismiller et al.
5731062 March 24, 1998 Kim et al.
5732423 March 31, 1998 Weismiller et al.
5742957 April 28, 1998 Vanzant
5745936 May 5, 1998 Van McCutchen et al.
5745937 May 5, 1998 Weismiller et al.
5749112 May 12, 1998 Metzler
5771511 June 30, 1998 Kummer et al.
5781949 July 21, 1998 Weismiller et al.
5784732 July 28, 1998 Vail
5790997 August 11, 1998 Ruehl
5832549 November 10, 1998 Le Pallec et al.
5845352 December 8, 1998 Matsler et al.
5857739 January 12, 1999 Smith
5860899 January 19, 1999 Rassman
5878452 March 9, 1999 Brooke et al.
5926878 July 27, 1999 Morton et al.
5933888 August 10, 1999 Foster et al.
5940910 August 24, 1999 Weismiller et al.
5963998 October 12, 1999 Carew et al.
5983429 November 16, 1999 Stacy et al.
5987668 November 23, 1999 Ackley
5996150 December 7, 1999 Blevins et al.
6000076 December 14, 1999 Webster et al.
6036271 March 14, 2000 Wilkinson et al.
6038717 March 21, 2000 Persson
6038721 March 21, 2000 Gordon
6047422 April 11, 2000 Yousif
6047424 April 11, 2000 Osborne et al.
6058531 May 9, 2000 Carroll
6058533 May 9, 2000 Nelson
6089593 July 18, 2000 Hanson et al.
6095610 August 1, 2000 Okajima et al.
6098222 August 8, 2000 Hand et al.
6112345 September 5, 2000 Foster et al.
6112867 September 5, 2000 Mintgen et al.
6119291 September 19, 2000 Osborne et al.
6141806 November 7, 2000 Bobey et al.
6151739 November 28, 2000 Meyer et al.
6154899 December 5, 2000 Brooke et al.
6163903 December 26, 2000 Weismiller et al.
6182310 February 6, 2001 Weismiller et al.
6212714 April 10, 2001 Allen et al.
6223369 May 1, 2001 Maier et al.
6230346 May 15, 2001 Branson et al.
6240583 June 5, 2001 Brooke et al.
6253397 July 3, 2001 Bartow et al.
6256812 July 10, 2001 Bartow et al.
6256821 July 10, 2001 Boyd
6256822 July 10, 2001 Weston et al.
6269504 August 7, 2001 Romano et al.
6269505 August 7, 2001 Wilkinson
6272702 August 14, 2001 Uchida et al.
6282735 September 4, 2001 Stolpmann et al.
6282737 September 4, 2001 Vrzalik
6286166 September 11, 2001 Henley et al.
6295675 October 2, 2001 Ellis et al.
6296089 October 2, 2001 Koch et al.
6315319 November 13, 2001 Hanson et al.
6320510 November 20, 2001 Menkedick et al.
6324709 December 4, 2001 Ikeda et al.
6336235 January 8, 2002 Ruehl
6347422 February 19, 2002 Heavrin
6351863 March 5, 2002 Meyer et al.
6353950 March 12, 2002 Bartlett et al.
6357065 March 19, 2002 Adams
6360385 March 26, 2002 Lewandowski
6363552 April 2, 2002 Hornbach et al.
6374436 April 23, 2002 Foster
6374437 April 23, 2002 Voelker
6397416 June 4, 2002 Brooke et al.
6401277 June 11, 2002 Savage et al.
6415814 July 9, 2002 Hand et al.
6427264 August 6, 2002 Metz et al.
6427270 August 6, 2002 Blevins et al.
6446283 September 10, 2002 Heimbrock et al.
6460930 October 8, 2002 Thornton
6481033 November 19, 2002 Fogel
6484332 November 26, 2002 Korver, II
6496993 December 24, 2002 Allen et al.
6499163 December 31, 2002 Stensby
6499167 December 31, 2002 Ellis et al.
6505368 January 14, 2003 Ellis
6516479 February 11, 2003 Barbour
6526609 March 4, 2003 Wong
6536056 March 25, 2003 Vrzalik et al.
6539566 April 1, 2003 Hayes
6547330 April 15, 2003 Hester
6560793 May 13, 2003 Walker
6564409 May 20, 2003 Metz et al.
6565112 May 20, 2003 Hanson et al.
6584628 July 1, 2003 Kummer
6584629 July 1, 2003 Tsuji et al.
6601251 August 5, 2003 Paul
6601253 August 5, 2003 Tarquinio
6611979 September 2, 2003 Welling et al.
6622323 September 23, 2003 Zerhusen et al.
6622364 September 23, 2003 Hamilton et al.
6623080 September 23, 2003 Clapper
6640360 November 4, 2003 Hornbach et al.
6640361 November 4, 2003 Heimbrock et al.
6643873 November 11, 2003 Heimbrock et al.
6651281 November 25, 2003 Figiel
6654974 December 2, 2003 Ruehl et al.
6658680 December 9, 2003 Osborne et al.
6662393 December 16, 2003 Boyd
6663184 December 16, 2003 Hagiike
6675415 January 13, 2004 Wong
6678908 January 20, 2004 Borders et al.
6684427 February 3, 2004 Allen et al.
6684436 February 3, 2004 Lovelace
6684472 February 3, 2004 Abdelmoula et al.
6687936 February 10, 2004 Graebe et al.
6691346 February 17, 2004 Osborne et al.
6691348 February 17, 2004 Plummer et al.
6691349 February 17, 2004 Blevins
6691350 February 17, 2004 Weismiller
6692069 February 17, 2004 Beroth et al.
6694548 February 24, 2004 Foster et al.
6694549 February 24, 2004 Perez et al.
6694557 February 24, 2004 Bobey et al.
6695406 February 24, 2004 Plant
6698836 March 2, 2004 Veneruso
6701556 March 9, 2004 Romano et al.
6704954 March 16, 2004 Metz et al.
6704956 March 16, 2004 Riley et al.
6708358 March 23, 2004 Hensley
6715169 April 6, 2004 Niederkrom
6721975 April 20, 2004 Lemire
6725474 April 27, 2004 Foster et al.
6725479 April 27, 2004 Stryker et al.
6726279 April 27, 2004 Figel et al.
6728983 May 4, 2004 Bartlett et al.
6728985 May 4, 2004 Brooke et al.
6732390 May 11, 2004 Krywiczanin
6745996 June 8, 2004 Guthrie
6751815 June 22, 2004 Heimbrock et al.
6757924 July 6, 2004 Goodwin et al.
6779209 August 24, 2004 Ganance
6779340 August 24, 2004 Pfaff et al.
6781517 August 24, 2004 Moster et al.
6782574 August 31, 2004 Totton et al.
6791460 September 14, 2004 Dixon et al.
6799340 October 5, 2004 Schatz
6817363 November 16, 2004 Biondo et al.
6820293 November 23, 2004 Alverson
6820294 November 23, 2004 Shiery et al.
6820640 November 23, 2004 Hand et al.
6822571 November 23, 2004 Conway
6823549 November 30, 2004 Hampton
6826793 December 7, 2004 Tekulve
6826795 December 7, 2004 Wilkinson
6829793 December 14, 2004 Brooke et al.
6829796 December 14, 2004 Salvatini et al.
6839926 January 11, 2005 Heimbrock et al.
6846042 January 25, 2005 Hanson et al.
6851142 February 8, 2005 Stryker et al.
6854145 February 15, 2005 Ruehl et al.
6862759 March 8, 2005 Hand et al.
6862762 March 8, 2005 Johnson et al.
6866341 March 15, 2005 Behnert
6874179 April 5, 2005 Hensley et al.
6874185 April 5, 2005 Phillips et al.
6874800 April 5, 2005 George
6880186 April 19, 2005 Johansson
6880189 April 19, 2005 Welling et al.
6892405 May 17, 2005 Dimitriu et al.
6897780 May 24, 2005 Ulrich et al.
6901617 June 7, 2005 Sprouse, II et al.
6904631 June 14, 2005 Vrzalik et al.
6910236 June 28, 2005 Rene
6922863 August 2, 2005 Giori et al.
6924441 August 2, 2005 Mobley et al.
6926366 August 9, 2005 Wolters
6928673 August 16, 2005 Risk, Jr.
6928681 August 16, 2005 Stacy
6934987 August 30, 2005 Newkirk et al.
6938289 September 6, 2005 Morin
6951036 October 4, 2005 Lemire
6952846 October 11, 2005 Flannery et al.
6952852 October 11, 2005 Reeder et al.
6976281 December 20, 2005 Schunk et al.
6978501 December 27, 2005 Vrzalik
6990700 January 31, 2006 Chung
6993799 February 7, 2006 Foster et al.
7000272 February 21, 2006 Allen et al.
7007323 March 7, 2006 Zerhusen et al.
7017208 March 28, 2006 Weismiller et al.
7028352 April 18, 2006 Kramer et al.
7028358 April 18, 2006 Liu
7036166 May 2, 2006 Kramer et al.
7039972 May 9, 2006 Chaffee
7044460 May 16, 2006 Bolton
7076818 July 18, 2006 Kummer et al.
7082635 August 1, 2006 Barman et al.
7086107 August 8, 2006 Ellis et al.
7107636 September 19, 2006 Metz et al.
7107637 September 19, 2006 Kuek et al.
7111340 September 26, 2006 Mitchell et al.
7114207 October 3, 2006 Wang
7120950 October 17, 2006 Garrigues
7120955 October 17, 2006 Wang
7127762 October 31, 2006 Lau
7171708 February 6, 2007 Osborne et al.
7182323 February 27, 2007 Muller
7188379 March 13, 2007 James et al.
7191482 March 20, 2007 Romano et al.
7191483 March 20, 2007 Hochschild
7213279 May 8, 2007 Weismiller et al.
7216389 May 15, 2007 Ellis et al.
7225488 June 5, 2007 Wu
7229134 June 12, 2007 Ito
7237287 July 3, 2007 Weismiller et al.
7237471 July 3, 2007 Mintgen et al.
7246389 July 24, 2007 Taguchi et al.
7260860 August 28, 2007 Chambers et al.
7263734 September 4, 2007 Buchanan et al.
7293839 November 13, 2007 Shimizu
7296312 November 20, 2007 Menkedick
7296313 November 20, 2007 Hense
7296314 November 20, 2007 Wyatt et al.
7313837 January 1, 2008 Wang
7325265 February 5, 2008 Hornbach et al.
7346945 March 25, 2008 Phillips et al.
7406729 August 5, 2008 Hornbach et al.
7412734 August 19, 2008 Stryker et al.
7430771 October 7, 2008 Heimbrock
7444696 November 4, 2008 Lin et al.
7458119 December 2, 2008 Hornbach et al.
7464425 December 16, 2008 Chambers et al.
7509698 March 31, 2009 Poulos et al.
7523515 April 28, 2009 Allen et al.
7536739 May 26, 2009 Poulos et al.
7568247 August 4, 2009 Strobel et al.
7587776 September 15, 2009 Poulos et al.
7600817 October 13, 2009 Kramer
7676862 March 16, 2010 Poulos et al.
7685664 March 30, 2010 Stolpmann
7698761 April 20, 2010 Neuenswander et al.
7716766 May 18, 2010 Poulos et al.
7743441 June 29, 2010 Poulos et al.
7757318 July 20, 2010 Poulos et al.
7774876 August 17, 2010 Brown
7779494 August 24, 2010 Poulos et al.
7784128 August 31, 2010 Kramer
7793950 September 14, 2010 Van Eeden
7832528 November 16, 2010 Liang
7836531 November 23, 2010 Girard
8056160 November 15, 2011 Poulos et al.
8063785 November 22, 2011 Sacchetti
8069514 December 6, 2011 Poulos et al.
8104122 January 31, 2012 Richards et al.
8104123 January 31, 2012 Paz et al.
RE43155 February 7, 2012 Allen et al.
8117695 February 21, 2012 Paz et al.
8539625 September 24, 2013 Poulos et al.
8566984 October 29, 2013 Paz et al.
8590073 November 26, 2013 Bly
8621690 January 7, 2014 Hornbach
8793824 August 5, 2014 Poulos et al.
8955176 February 17, 2015 Mullikin
9119753 September 1, 2015 Poulos et al.
9320663 April 26, 2016 Poulos et al.
9687401 June 27, 2017 Alford et al.
10064771 September 4, 2018 Poulos et al.
10179077 January 15, 2019 Poulos et al.
10617582 April 14, 2020 Poulos et al.
10744054 August 18, 2020 Poulos et al.
10893756 January 19, 2021 Neuenswander
11103405 August 31, 2021 Poulos et al.
11116684 September 14, 2021 Poulos et al.
11141335 October 12, 2021 Poulos
11266554 March 8, 2022 Poulos
11458056 October 4, 2022 Poulos et al.
11523955 December 13, 2022 Poulos et al.
11877662 January 23, 2024 Freelend
12150908 November 26, 2024 Poulos et al.
12208041 January 28, 2025 Poulos et al.
12239593 March 4, 2025 Poulos et al.
12239594 March 4, 2025 Poulos et al.
12478532 November 25, 2025 Poulos et al.
20010048239 December 6, 2001 Kogure
20020059679 May 23, 2002 Weismiller
20020066142 June 6, 2002 Osborne
20020078509 June 27, 2002 Williams
20020174487 November 28, 2002 Kramer et al.
20030075966 April 24, 2003 Behnert
20030079293 May 1, 2003 Ellis et al.
20030080597 May 1, 2003 Beroth et al.
20030145383 August 7, 2003 Schwaegerle
20030167568 September 11, 2003 Brooke
20030172459 September 18, 2003 Roussy
20030177584 September 25, 2003 Boyd
20030208847 November 13, 2003 Vrzalik et al.
20030221262 December 4, 2003 Torbet et al.
20030221391 December 4, 2003 Bolton
20040010855 January 22, 2004 Piraino
20040034931 February 26, 2004 Kummer et al.
20040143904 July 29, 2004 Borders et al.
20040154097 August 12, 2004 Blevins
20040187217 September 30, 2004 Barman et al.
20040193078 September 30, 2004 Flick
20050012377 January 20, 2005 Ito
20050028289 February 10, 2005 Hakamiun
20050034764 February 17, 2005 Hanh et al.
20050076715 April 14, 2005 Kuklis et al.
20050104420 May 19, 2005 Murphy
20050160530 July 28, 2005 Taguchi et al.
20050166323 August 4, 2005 Kawakami et al.
20050166328 August 4, 2005 Ben-Levi
20050166330 August 4, 2005 Williams
20050172405 August 11, 2005 Menkedick
20050200180 September 15, 2005 Guyton
20050229321 October 20, 2005 Phillips et al.
20050262635 December 1, 2005 Wing
20060006724 January 12, 2006 Shimizu
20060021142 February 2, 2006 Hornback et al.
20060021144 February 2, 2006 Hornbach et al.
20060021145 February 2, 2006 Hornbach et al.
20060026762 February 9, 2006 Hornbach
20060026765 February 9, 2006 Hornbach et al.
20060026767 February 9, 2006 Chambers et al.
20060026768 February 9, 2006 Chambers et al.
20060031955 February 9, 2006 Barkhouse
20060031995 February 16, 2006 Barkhouse
20060053555 March 16, 2006 Poulos
20060059621 March 23, 2006 Poulos et al.
20060059624 March 23, 2006 Poulos et al.
20060101581 May 18, 2006 Blanchard et al.
20060150321 July 13, 2006 Brockman
20060167079 July 27, 2006 Menkedick et al.
20060168729 August 3, 2006 Weismiller et al.
20060168730 August 3, 2006 Menkedick et al.
20060168731 August 3, 2006 Menkedick et al.
20060195986 September 7, 2006 Hakamiun et al.
20060260051 November 23, 2006 Paz
20060272097 December 7, 2006 Dionne et al.
20060277683 December 14, 2006 Lamire
20070070684 March 29, 2007 Poulos
20070080030 April 12, 2007 Kramer
20070113352 May 24, 2007 Poulos
20070163043 July 19, 2007 Lemire et al.
20070169267 July 26, 2007 Paz et al.
20070234477 October 11, 2007 Dorenbeck
20070266499 November 22, 2007 O'Keefe et al.
20080086815 April 17, 2008 Kappeler et al.
20080201851 August 28, 2008 Menkedick et al.
20080211248 September 4, 2008 Lambarth
20090106906 April 30, 2009 Soltani
20090300845 December 10, 2009 Paz et al.
20100005592 January 14, 2010 Poulos et al.
20100325794 December 30, 2010 Chung
20110030142 February 10, 2011 Karwal
20110113556 May 19, 2011 Roussy
20120066832 March 22, 2012 Poulos et al.
20120073052 March 29, 2012 Meyer et al.
20120096644 April 26, 2012 Heimbrock
20120144588 June 14, 2012 Heimbrock
20120198613 August 9, 2012 Jelinek
20120198629 August 9, 2012 Hornbach
20120286557 November 15, 2012 Hoffman et al.
20130139318 June 6, 2013 Paz
20130145550 June 13, 2013 Roussy et al.
20150007393 January 8, 2015 Palashewski
20150237432 August 20, 2015 Miluzzi et al.
20160074265 March 17, 2016 Lyon
20160193095 July 7, 2016 Roussy
20170281440 October 5, 2017 Puvogel
20180160820 June 14, 2018 Hsu
20190076310 March 14, 2019 Poulos
20190142671 May 16, 2019 Poulos et al.
20190142672 May 16, 2019 Poulos et al.
20190142673 May 16, 2019 Poulos et al.
20190262201 August 29, 2019 Borgman
20200008994 January 9, 2020 Poulos et al.
20200008995 January 9, 2020 Poulos et al.
20200230002 July 23, 2020 Poulos et al.
20210177680 June 17, 2021 Poulos et al.
20220023125 January 27, 2022 Poulos et al.
20220023126 January 27, 2022 Poulos et al.
20230181397 June 15, 2023 Poulos et al.
20240082089 March 14, 2024 Poulos et al.
20250170003 May 29, 2025 Poulos et al.
20250195307 June 19, 2025 Poulos et al.
20250241813 July 31, 2025 Poulos et al.
Foreign Patent Documents
2580314 March 2011 CA
2618630 October 2011 CA
101056557 January 2011 CN
8610640 June 1986 DE
8714843 February 1988 DE
4216841 August 1993 DE
0465810 January 1992 EP
1086681 March 2001 EP
1 147 757 October 2001 EP
1 621 173 February 2006 EP
1793706 July 2008 EP
183181 July 1922 GB
189572 December 1922 GB
11 221134 October 1999 JP
WO 97/05845 February 1997 WO
WO 98/04170 February 1998 WO
WO 2004/060257 July 2004 WO
WO 2006/036523 April 2006 WO
WO 2007/021878 February 2007 WO
WO 2013/192411 December 2013 WO
Other references
  • International Search Report and Written Opinion for related International Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/049391 dated Jan. 20, 2016.
  • Stryker, Isoflex Sleep Surface, 2005.
  • Geltec, Redux Tri-Zone Pressure/Shear Support Surface, at least as early as 2006.
  • Brochure for ROHO Dry Floatation Mattress System, received Nov. 2007.
  • Oct. 30, 2009—(WO) ISR—App. No. PCT/US09/03811.
  • Oct. 30, 2009—(WO) Written Opinion—App. No. PCT/US09/03811.
  • Information and photographs of a Vitalgo Standing Bed, at least as early as 2011.
  • Jan. 5, 2011—(WO) IPRP—App. No. PCT/US09/03811.
  • Information and Photographs of a Vitalgo Standing Bed 2008.
Patent History
Patent number: 12636209
Type: Grant
Filed: Dec 9, 2022
Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
Patent Publication Number: 20230113787
Assignee: Kreg Medical, Inc. (Melrose Park, IL)
Inventors: Craig Poulos (Chicago, IL), Tho Qg. Thieu (Wood Dale, IL), Carlos Portillo (Chicago, IL)
Primary Examiner: Eric J Kurilla
Application Number: 18/078,770
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Legs Pivot Perimetrically Of Surface (108/125)
International Classification: A61G 7/053 (20060101); A61G 7/008 (20060101); A61G 7/012 (20060101); A61G 7/015 (20060101); A61G 7/018 (20060101); A61G 7/05 (20060101); A61G 7/10 (20060101);